Infirmary

These are just a few of the Boxers who arrived in especially rough shape and need extra medical attention or more resources than average. While we may not always know exactly what a dog is facing when they arrive at ABR, diagnostics often uncover serious conditions that require extensive care. In some cases, it can cost thousands to save a single life. No matter the case, your support helps us say YES when it matters most!

🟥 Critical Care

Dogs undergoing major surgery, intensive diagnostics, emergency treatment, or unknown medical conditions needing immediate attention.

Sadie
Sadie's labs just came back and unfortunately, her kidney values do not look great. She has a urinary tract infection and was being fed a high protein diet, so we are hopeful that with the resolution of both of these things, her values will stabilize. She is currently an unknown at the moment since her values are critically high. She is being skillfully cared for by her foster family and medical team.

🟧 Pending Treatment

Dogs who are stable but waiting on significant treatment or prep work. (Heartworm treatment not yet started, surgery pending diagnostics, scheduled procedures)

Frankie
After a couple of rounds of medication, Frankie's heart appears to be stable enough for surgery, so he will be going in soon for a much needed dental and the removal of a mast cell tumor.

🟨 In Treatment

Dogs currently undergoing care, mid-way through a protocol. (Heartworm treatment, upper respiratory infections, etc.)

Roxanne
Roxanne is in the early stage of heartworm treatment. she has just finished her 28-day course of doxycycline, but unfortunately has come down with an upper respiratory virus. As soon as she has recovered from that, she will head to the vet for her injections to kill the adult heartworms. Afterwards, she'll be on crate rest for about six weeks as she recovers. After 6 weeks, we will have her spayed and then she will be ready to go as soon as her sutures come out!
Rubi
Rubi is currently taking a 28-day course of oral doxycycline as the first step in her heartworm treatment. Once complete, she'll begin her injections and then have about six weeks of crate rest ahead of her.

🟩 Recovering & Healing

Dogs who have received treatment and are on the mend — still need follow-up care, rest, or medication.
(Post-surgery recovery, healing wounds, ongoing medication or physical therapy)

Harlow
Harlow's histopath results just came back and the lab said that his shoulder and neck masses had clean margins with no cancer cells seen. The one on the scrotum was a low grade 2 MCT but we got clean margins. He is at home and recovering from surgery and will go back soon to have his sutures removed.
Callie
Callie has early arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and dilated cardiomyopathy, both of which complicate surgery. The ARVC shows up when her heart is under stress with anesthesia and leads to premature ventricular and atrial contractions. After two aborted surgery attempts and an additional medication, three times was the charm! Our skilled veterinarian removed 3 skin tags from her right lateral thigh, two vulva tumors of large concern, one on the back of neck, a big lipoma, and another suspicious one from the front of the right hock. Callie is now in recovery and her foster will take good care of her while we await histopath results.
Sammie
Sammie's first spay and mass removal surgery was aborted due to serious arrhythmias under anesthesia. She was diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). She's now on antiarrhythmic medication and responding well. A second attempt to spay her and remove a suspected hemangioma was successful and she is in her foster home recovering.

🟦 Continuing Expenses

Dogs who have completed treatment but are still incurring costs or had significant bills prior to being medically cleared for adoption. (Regular monitoring, ongoing medication, food, or supplies)

Barney
Barney came to us severely underweight at just 55 pounds, but now weighs a healthy 72. He was treated for heartworm disease, neutered, and recovered from a stroke. He also had several concerning masses removed, and thankfully all were benign. What remains is his early-stage dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), which is well controlled with daily medication, along with some intermittent vertigo from the stroke. Until he's adopted, ABR continues to cover the cost of his care.

Common Medical Issues in Rescue

We frequently treat dogs for heartworm disease and upper respiratory infections — two of the most common conditions we encounter. Both require extended care and recovery time, and a significant portion of our Infirmary funds go toward managing these cases.

Heartworm Disease

Heartworm disease is transmitted by mosquitoes and often goes unnoticed until it's advanced. Treatment involves a series of injections and strict rest while the worms die off and are absorbed by the body. If a dog is too active during this period, it can lead to pulmonary embolism, which is potentially life-threatening.

Treatment is lengthy and costly, but the disease is completely preventable with a simple monthly medication. Your support helps us provide the treatment these dogs need and the preventatives to keep them healthy going forward.

Upper Respiratory Infections

Upper respiratory infections or "kennel cough" are also extremely common, especially in dogs coming from shelters or overcrowded environments. Symptoms like coughing, sneezing, congestion, and fever can spread quickly in close quarters.

Treatment usually includes rest, antibiotics, and supportive care — but more serious cases may require hospitalization or extended isolation to keep other dogs safe. These aren't glamorous medical cases, but they're some of the most persistent and time-consuming and your donations help us get these dogs back to health and on the road to adoption.

Thanks to all of you who step forward to help save these sweet babies!
We couldn't do it without you!

*Any funds collected above and beyond an individual dog's vetting expenses will be directed to other ABR dogs in need.